Who We Are
Alone we are drops, but together we are an ocean; just as a river is formed by many tributaries, a community is built by the collective efforts of its people.
Volunteers. Board Members. Staff. Supporters. Sponsors.
Every single person that has ever attended an event, cleaned up our trails, shared our stories, helped us fundraise, attended events, or cheered us on is a part of the park. We are so incredibly grateful for the work, time, and dedication of the people past and present that have helped to bring this park to life. It is our shared vision and passion for the outdoors, the river, and conservation that unite us all.
Meet the Board of Directors
JEREMY LAUCKS
President
Jeremy has been a dedicated whitewater paddler for most of his life, maintaining a streak of paddling every month for over 25 years. He has competed in freestyle kayaking at the national and international level and was the 2009 World Champion in OC-1 freestyle. These experiences allowed him to visit many communities that have built whitewater parks and has seen them grow and flourish around their rivers. He is excited to be a part of making that happen in Franklin. Jeremy is the Owner, designer, builder, and janitor of Blackfly Canoes, a manufacturer of whitewater canoes. He is also a maker and serves on the board for the Franklin Makerspace.
KRYSTAL ALPERS
Treasurer
Krystal has been the Parks and Recreation Director for the City of Franklin since 2008. She has been a powerful advocate for the revitalization and improved amenities at parks across the city. Along with her hard-working staff she has increased the number of recreation programs available and put on many, many community activities and events. Krystal and her family enjoy skiing in the winter, hiking in the spring and fall, and beach days at the lake in the summer.
DR. STEVE WHITMAN, AICP
Secretary
Steve is a professional planner and educator who has been working in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors in New England for over twenty-five years. For the past twenty years he has successfully partnered with others to create dynamic consulting teams tailored to the client’s specific project needs. In 2014 Steve established Resilience Planning and Design to assist communities and organizations with planning initiatives and implementation actions that reinforce their vision for the future. His work includes facilitation, comprehensive planning projects in small towns and large cities, regional conservation and open space planning, and a wide variety of research-driven planning and education initiatives. Steve serves as a board member for the non-profit Mill City Park, and is a founding member of the Pemi-Baker Trails Committee.
NICK MASON
Nick took up whitewater paddling as a young man in 1995, working as a raft guide in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and New York. These days he manages his family’s small business in Plymouth and, with his kids grown and out of the house, he has more time to volunteer, and to paddle! He enjoys learning about Franklin’s history and chatting with locals and visitors alike at the whitewater park.
ANDREW FOURNIER
Andrew was lucky to be introduced to whitewater paddling and other outdoor adventures by one of his high school teachers. Although he has lived here in New Hampshire his whole life, his love of rivers has taken him all across the Continental USA, Alaska, and even Nepal. With two small kids at home these days, Andrew focuses on accessible outdoor activities and local river stewardship. He sees Mill City Park as a growing resource for introducing people to their own lifetime of adventures.
CHRISTY BLOUIN MANK
Vice President
Born in NH and raised in northern Mass, Christy has always enjoyed the outdoors and natural resources the northeast offers. She has been a lifelong entrepreneur and after an early career owning multiple restaurants has enjoyed the last 30+ years bringing people together as a real estate broker. Christy has served as a director on the Lakes Region Board of Realtors and as president and board member of a local HOA. She is married to a retired Navy Veteran and now that their children are grown and leading lives of their own she is able to enjoy more time focusing on giving back to the community that has supported her. Her passion for public lands has driven her to become an accomplished long distance backpacker having completed several long trails including the AT and The Long Trail and she is working on completing the triple crown of long distance backpacking. She’s very passionate about MCP and is especially eager about the development of the land based features and what they will offer to the community. With the encouragement of her fellow board members she might just learn some skills on a boogie board too!
VALERIE BLAKE
Valerie has a love of outdoors and was excited to join the board of Mill City Park and turn that passion into a reality. Valerie brings over 28 years of non-profit experience to the board, utilizing those skills to assist in the overall management of Mill City Park. Valerie is a hiker, climbing over half of the 4,000 footers in New Hampshire and a former kayaker. The mission of Mill City Park, to let the Winnipesaukee River repower our community, is evident in the creation of a water and land-base park in downtown Franklin. This public-private project was accomplished primarily by and an all-volunteer board in under five years, incredibly inspiring. Valerie lives in Franklin with her husband Gene and best dog in the world - Sherman.
